Arsenal was left frustrated as Everton battled to a goalless draw in Tuesday's Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners had won four league games in succession to move above both Tottenham and Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification.

However, despite plenty of endeavor, Arsene Wenger's men were unable to breakdown a determined Everton side, which utilized all its physical qualities, if not collecting the win it probably needed to harbor any real hope of getting into the top four.

"It was a really good game. It was end to end and we played some really good stuff. I'm not too despondent with a point, even though we wanted to win," Everton manager David Moyes said. "We got about the game, went after it. We were trying to make a real game of it.''

Arsenal's best chances fell to Olivier Giroud, but the France striker failed to test Tim Howard and the hosts had to be content with a point that sees them move two clear of their London rivals below them, but having played more matches.

"We showed fantastic focus for 90 minutes,'' said Wenger. "It was disappointing we couldn't take our chances. Overall, we kept a clean sheet, which was the target. We had the chances to score. Maybe we looked too much for power and not enough to place the ball.''

A few hefty challenges then went in from both sides as the midfield battle heated up.

Wilshere was left in a heap by a strong sliding tackle from Ross Barkley, the 19-year-old drafted into the Everton starting lineup by David Moyes.

The England midfielder, who had been out for six weeks with an ankle problem, was, though, soon back up and running.

Arsenal pressed again on 25 minutes, the ball worked out to full back Kieran Gibbs on the overlap down the left, but his angled drive flew into the Clock End.

Referee Neil Swarbrick finally reached for his pocket to show Darron Gibson a yellow card after the Everton midfielder clattered into Walcott.

Gibson was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he bodychecked the England winger a few minutes later, the referee instead deciding just to dish out a stern talking-to -- much to the disbelief of Gunners boss Wenger.

The notebook was, though, out again when Pienaar blocked Walcott's run toward the right side of the Everton penalty area.

Chances were few and far between, as Victor Anichebe squirmed a shot away in the Arsenal six-yard box, which hit a defender and then Szczesny's legs before being gathered.

On 41 minutes, Giroud should have put Arsenal ahead when Aaron Ramsey got away down the right and swept the ball back through the penalty area, where the French striker arrived at pace ahead of goalkeeper Howard -- but stabbed the ball wide.

Santi Cazorla's angled shot was blocked as the Gunners finished the half strongly.

The Spaniard tested Howard again following the restart with a rasping half-volley as Arsenal looked to break down the stubborn visitors.

Everton, though, refused to lie down and was awarded a free kick just outside the penalty arc in a central position when former Toffees midfielder Mikel Arteta tripped Pienaar -- but Leighton Baines fired it into the wall.

From the break, Walcott sprinted away down the right and eventually crossed for Giroud, but with his back to goal, the striker could not turn and the chance was gone.

Barkley was inches away from slotting Everton ahead with a curling effort after sidestepping a couple of challenges on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area.

Needing victory to close back on the top four, Everton sent on Croatian Nikica Jelavic for Barkley.

Chamberlain darted away down the right on the overlap, but his cross into the area was booted clear by Coleman with Giroud ready to tap in -- although the France forward looked to have strayed a yard offside.

Giroud then showed good footwork to fashion a shooting chance from a tight angle, but blasted over.

Arsenal pressed during the closing stages, but unlike here against Norwich on Saturday, there was to be no late surge and the points were shared.

Moyes said that while the point keeps alive Everton's Champions League hopes, he feels the Toffees must not drop any more over their final five games if they are to close the two-point gap on Chelsea in fourth.

"It keeps it going,'' said Moyes. "But we probably need to win all the remaining games to have a chance.''

On Arsenal's Champions League aspirations, Wenger said: "We're in a strong position. We are on a strong run. If we keep this fighting spirit I'm sure we'll get there."